Homemade Hot Chocolate
Homemade hot chocolate, whipped cream and marshmallows — is a treat wrapped up in a hug in a mug.This winter, as the temperature dips and your nose and cheeks are rosy — we encourage you to whip up this simple hot chocolate recipe. Why Make Homemade Hot Chocolate?The arrival of winter means many things but for this post — that one thing is hot chocolate!It tastes So. MUCH. BETTER. Creamy and sweet with rich cocoa flavor from real chocolate, this cocoa recipe is worth the teensy bit of extra effort.It’s simple to make and requires only a few ingredients. The difference in flavor between this cocoa and the watery stuff made from a packet is astounding. You can adjust the amount of sugar or cocoa to your taste.I used to be fine with drinking powdered hot chocolate mix. All that has changed! I can't recall when it all changed. Perhaps too many of those little hard marshmallows in packages or sipping too many hotel lobbies watered-down hot chocolate beverages (smh) or I was gifted a baker's dozen of Ghirardelli, Valrhona or some wonderfully fancy chocolate bars (thank you). Apparently I got fed up with the whole thing and started making my own. I don’t have anything against packaged beverages, they have a wonderful place in the world of packaged convenience — they are a great ‘just in case’ or ‘quick soother' on a chili day! HOWEVER— when you have some time… give the Homemade Hot Chocolate a try - I’m positive you’ll enjoy your very own mug of Handcrafted Hot Chocolate. Grab A Mug - Let’s Make A Warm Sip of Chocolate Photo Credit: Maddi Bazzocco/Unsplash
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- dash - 1/8 teaspoon salt
- whipped cream or mini marshmallows, optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of high quality cocoa powder. Set over medium high heat on your stove and use a whisk to incorporate the powder into the liquid. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking occasionally.
- Once the water is at a rolling boil, turn the heat down to medium low. Being careful not to splash yourself.
- Add all the remaining ingredients. Be sure when adding the salt, to start with a dash of kosher salt.
- Whisk all the ingredients well. Let the mixture come to a low and very gentle simmer over medium low heat, it should take a few minutes. If the mixture starts to boil, turn to a low heat setting.
- Whisk occasionally. Once the mixture has started to low simmer, continue for 2-3 minutes.
- Depending on your preferences, you might want to add more dark chocolate (this will make your hot chocolate richer and thicker). If you add more chocolate you will need to whisk more and heat it a little longer until chocolate melts and is incorporated.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into 4 warmed mugs, top with whipped cream or mini marshmallows!
Slow Cooker Instructions
- If you have time, take a few minutes to bloom your cocoa in water, just as you would have done on the stovetop. Turn your crock up to high, add the water and cocoa, and wait about 30 minutes until it is bubbly. Then add the remaining ingredients.
- Or, just add all the ingredients to the crock pot right away. Turn the heat to LOW and cover with the lid. Heat for about 2 hours. Come back every 30 minutes to stir with a whisk, making sure to break up those chocolate chips.
Storing Hot Chocolate:
- My favorite way to store hot chocolate is in glass mason jars with a lid. The hot chocolate will keep in the fridge for about 2-3 days.
Reheating Hot Chocolate
- To reheat, simply shake the mason jar, add the contents to a sauce pan, and heat over medium heat til warmed through.
- You can warm in the microwave, but I recommend warming at 50% power and stirring every 30 seconds or so until warm, that way it doesn’t separate or scald.
CHEF TIPS
- ☕️To keep the cocoa warm, transfer it to a slow cooker. Leave it on the “keep warm” setting until ready to serve. This is a great idea for serving at parties!
- ☕️ Be careful to NOT let the cocoa come to a boil. Whisk occasionally and adjust the heat lower as needed.
- ☕️ Once your handcrafted hot chocolate is hot and creamy, use an immersion blender if you want to froth it up! Totally optional.
- ☕️ For a Classic Vanilla Whipped Cream: you add vanilla extractFor a more holiday flavor add peppermint extract to whipped cream or hot chocolate.
Notes
Hot Chocolate Toppings:
This hot chocolate is a stand alone. However, there are many ways to dress up a mug of hot chocolate for fun.
Here are a few of my favorites!Whipped cream or flavored with peppermint
Mini marshmallows, of course. An absolute favorite of kids!
Candy cane, use one as a stirrer for a gentle peppermint flavor!
Mini chocolate chips
Cinnamon or other spices (like cardamom, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, or even cayenne pepper!)
Cookie Butter (this will make it extra rich!)
Peanut Butter (stir it in while it’s super hot so it melts!) So Decadent!
Chocolate or caramel syrup
Essential oils or flavorings, like orange oil, rum flavoring, peppermint, etc. Add in droplets. Be careful because a little goes an extremely looong way!